Destination guide: Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Only 52 kilometers from Cancun and in the middle of the Mayan Riviera is Playa del Carmen, a beautiful beach town whose main activities are tourism, nightlife and local fishing. This Caribbean paradise is ideal for diving, since its crystal-clear water is home to beautiful fishes and underwater caves.

Playa del Carmen also has an area of tropical jungle, with lakes, coral reefs, pools and swamps, where spider monkeys, crocodiles and an endless number of exotic birds live. On your next trip to Mexico, don’t forget to visit this spectacular destination.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, now the third-largest city in Quintana Roo – its population more than doubled in the past 10 years – is the hippest city on all of the Yucatán Peninsula. Sitting coolly on the lee side of Cozumel, the town’s beaches are jammed with superfit Europeans. Strolling down Playa del Carmen’s pedestrian mall, Quinta Avenida (keen-ta; 5 Avenida), is a fabulous game of see-and-be-seen. It’s where the beautiful people go – a city of fashion and fitness, understated chic and European cool.

The town is ideally located: close to Cancún’s international airport, but far enough south to allow easy access to Cozumel, Tulum, Cobá and other worthy destinations. The reefs here are excellent, and offer diving and snorkeling close by. Look for rays, moray eels, sea turtles and a huge variety of corals. The lavender sea fans make for very picturesque vistas.

Purchase your ticket at LAN.com and discover all of the charm thatPlaya del Carmen has to offer.